Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal councillor says he’s been told that street cleaning is to be scaled back in Lifford and Raphoe. Cllr Gerry Crawfiord is seeking clasrification after he was told the service will no longer be provided once a week as has been the case, but will now be done “on demand”. He believes council staff […]

Twenty-six people have died from Pseudomonas in Northern Ireland over the past four years. The Health Minister, Edwin Poots, revealed the figure on Wednesday as he briefed the assembly’s health committee on the investigation. Recently, four babies died following complications from the infection. In December, a baby died from a Pseudomonas infection at Altnagelvin Hospital

Three men have been arrested in Derry following an incident in which a van collided with police vehicles on both sides of the border. The incident began in the Carranbane Walk area of Shantallow this morning. Police in Derry say that at approximately 9.30, yesterday morning  it was reported that a number of men had

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has told Letterkenny Town Council that a lot can be done to provide a positive environment for people with dementia. Following from a debate in the chamber last month on the prospect of designating Letterkenny as a “Dementia Friendly Town”, the society stressed the need for social interaction for people

The government is being urged to publish a new timeline for the release of funding for the A5 upgrade following on from yesterday’s announcement at Stormont by the North’s Finance MInister Sammy Wilson. Donegal North East Deputy Charlie McConalogue says now is the time for the Government to recommit to funding to the project. The

Campaigners opposed to the new household charge are stepping up the campaign against the 100-euro fee. They will be joined by nine TD’s at St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin, as they begin distributing flyers that urge people not to pay the charge. The campaign says it’s printed the flyers in response to the government’s leaf-letting

A special sitting of Dungloe District Court has been fixed to hear charges against number of people following a melee in which four gardai in Co. Donegal were surrounded by more than 100 clubbers outside a chip shop. Eight men have been accused of 21 offences which included public disorder, obstructing gardai and assault on

The Mayor of Letterkenny says the local town council must send out a strong message that Community Employment Schemes should be retained, and training and materials budgets should be immediately restored to 2011 levels. Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle, who has himself been directly involved in CE schemes through his work with the Community Development Project

People in negative equity could be offered new mortgages. According to the Irish Independent, the Central Bank has given Permanent TSB and Bank of Ireland permission to offer a new type of homeloan which would see existing debt added onto a loan for a new property. More than half of mortgage holders are in negative

A 41-year-old man has been cleared of murdering a teenager, who he killed with a broken glass in a bar on Arranmore Island. Stephen Boyle with an address at Cambridge Road, Kilburn Park in London was convicted by a jury of the manslaughter of 19-year-old Paul Boyle at Early’s Bar in October 2009. He admitted

Donegal North East Deputy Joe Mc Hugh says he believes the Irish government will honour the balance of  its £450 million contribution to the upgrade of the A5. He was speaking after the North’s Finance Minister Sammy Wilson confirmed that 330 million pounds will be spent over the next four years upgrading two stretches of

The old Ebrington Barracks parade ground in Derry are opening to the public this evening, creating the biggest piece of open space in the city, and one of the key performance areas for Derry’s year as UK City of Culture. It’s the first time the square will be open to the public since it was

A 49-year-old man has appeared in court charged with possession of a 100lb bomb. Derry Magistrates Court was told that DNA linked Eamon Terence Cassidy, with an address at Maghaberry Prison, to the device. The bomb was left in a beer keg inside a car found abandoned in Bishop Street car park – across the

The book of evidence is ready to be served on two men accused of assault causing harm to Senator Brian O’Domhnaill. But Dungloe Court was told today that there are background negotiations involving a reluctant witness. Garda Inspector Dennis Joyce held up the book and said he had it ready to serve on Cathal O’Donovan

The North’s Minister for finance has confirmed that 330 million pounds will be spent over the next four years upgrading two stretches of the A5 to dual carriageway status. The money will be spent on a routes from Derry to Strabane and Omagh to Ballygawley. The work on two of the three stretches of the

The Fianna Fail MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher is calling on the Government to reverse its decision to close the Vatican Embassy. The former Donegal Deputy made the plea in the European Parliament in Strasbourg last night. Mr Gallagher comments come as the Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said he would be prepared to review the closure

The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering a teenager on Arranmore Island will begin its deliberations today. 41 year old Stephen Boyle has admitted killing, but denies murdering, 19 year old Paul Boyle at Early’ s Bar, Leabgarrow, Arranmore on October 3rd, 2009. The judge, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said one

A man has been sentenced to 15 years by Mr Justice Paul Carney for raping and sexually assaulting the daughters of a woman he met through the internet. The 53-year-old former paramilitary, who cannot be named by law, committed the abuse in Donegal and Northern Ireland and in another European country. He began abusing one

Letterkenny Councillor Dessie Larkin says it’s time that groups, facilities and events being funded by the council should come before the council to brief members on how that money is being spent. Cllr Larkin also says work programmes and plans should be submitted to the council before money is handed over to ensure that value

A man will appear in court today charged in connection with a bomb found close to Bishop Street courthouse in Derry in March last year. The 50 kilogram bomb, which was hidden inside a beer keg, had  according to police the potential to cause massive damage – and loss of life. The 49 year old

Calls have been made for plans for  Crana College, Gael Colaiste and the Gaelscoil to merge into a campus in Buncrana to be progressed with urgency. The Donegal VEC is currently working to secure a site for the campus in the town, and they have secured a Department of Education engineer to view sites in

Eircom is to spend up to €5 million in the coming months to improve broadband provision in Letterkenny. The town is one of ten in the country being provided with a new high speed fibre network, with preparatory work already underway. Briefing town councillors on the plan, Eircom spokesperson Paul Bradley said as well as

Strabane District Council has agreed to increase its district rate for the coming year by 3.93%. The council says this reflects its commitment to planned investment in community, leisure and recycling facilities. This means that local ratepayers will see an average increase in their rates bills of £19.07 when the regional rate increase of 2.2%

The senior coroner in Northern Ireland said he plans to call a convicted child killer as a witness at the inquest into the death of a Castlederg teenager. Robert Howard was acquitted of killing 15-year-old Arlene Arkinson at a trial in 2005. Last December, he lost a High Court challenge to the Arkinson inquest being

A 77-year-old former SDLP councillor on Derry City Council will be sentenced on Friday after he admitted two charges of sexual assault in an 11-year-old girl. William McCorriston of  Philip Street in Derry pleaded guilty at today’s sitting of Derry Crown Court to the two charges which occurred between September 6 and September 21 2010.

One of Letterkenny Town Council’s longest serving members is backing a  Heritage Council call for the establishment of a national organisation to support the sustainable development of town centres. The Heritage Council suggestion is included in its submission to a government review on retail planning guidelines. Letterkenny Cllr Jim Lynch says such a body could

The treasurer of Monreagh National School’s Parents’ Association says Education Minister Ruari Quinn needs to consider the links between small schools and local communities. Josephine Duncan was speaking as the 28 pupil school’s new building outside Carrigans was officially opened this afternoon by Junior Minister Dinny Mc Ginley. The old building closed last June after

Hundreds of people who attended the funeral of a 24-year-old Derry man shot dead at his home in Buncrana on Thursday have been told that his murder was an evil which descended on the northwest. Andrew Allen, a father of two from the Top of the Hill area of Derry, died after a number of

A public meeting takes place tonight to discuss the transport crisis effecting schools in the Finn Valley area. The new transport scheme will only offer free transport for new pupils to their closest school – its claimed the move will divide siblings and cause extra expense and inconvenience for parents. The public meeting on the

A complete review by the HSE into how a caretaker on the sex offenders register remained working at a Donegal school and was able to rape and sexually assault four boys should be complete in March Michael Ferry abused the four boys on an almost weekly basis, some for as long as four years despite

The funeral takes place later of the 24-year-old Derry man shot dead at his home in Buncrana on Thursday. Andrew Allen, a father of two from the Top of the Hill area of Derry, died after a number of shots were fired through the window of his home. He will be buried after Requiem Mass

The BBC reports that St Peter’s High School in Derry has been earmarked for closure following a major review of Catholic education. Immaculate Conception College in the Waterside will stay open, but it is understood St Eugene’s in Castlederg will also close. The Commission on Catholic Education is to release a report later confirming the

Plans for the drastic overhaul of 3rd level education institutions will be officaly unveiled later. Small colleges will be forced to merge with larger third level institutions, and universities and Institutes of Technology will have to band together into regional clusters The new plans will be published today by the Higher Education Authority. Letterkenny IT

Donegal County Council has won the Council of the Year award at the Local Authority Members Association awards. The council collected the award for its flagship ‘Road Safety Road Show’. 12,000 students have already seen the hard hitting show over the last four years. At the event people directly affected by road tragedies tell their

An SOS went out to Bundoran lifeboat to rescue a surfer in difficulties in the sea yesterday. Malin Head coastguard was alerted by a member of the public shortly before six o’clock. The lifeboat was at the scene within minutes but the surfer had already made it to the shore safely. Press Officer with Bundoran

Calls for tighter border security have been made amid rising fears of spillover violence following last Thursday’s brutal murder of a man in Buncrana. The 25-year-old father of two, Andrew Allen was killed at his home in Links View Park, Lisfannon, just outside the town. He had been living there since being ordered to leave

Tune into Highland Radio this afternoon for LIVE coverage of Donegal v Laois in Division One of the National Football League. Throw In 2.30pm Click on links below lo listen to Highland’s coverage with Charlie Collins & Martin Mc Hugh. http://links.fmstreams.com/highland.m3u http://server2.fmstreams.com:8822/listen.pls    

Donegal is getting ready for one of the most ambitious charity sporting events this year. The Cancer Coastal Challenge takes place around Dunfanaghay on July 21st. The unique fundraiser will see people complete in a 16km run, a 45 km cycle and  a 2km kayak. The event is in aid of Action Breast Cancer, Relay

Northwest MEP Marian Harkin has called on Northern Irish authorities to enforce European free movement laws and immediately cease the practice of clamping cars displaying Republic of Ireland trade plates. The Independent MEP’s engagement on this issue began when she was contacted by a constituent, Paul Dunleavy, who runs the “Modern Motors” car dealership in

Kevin Cassidy has closed the door on a possible return to the Donegal panel. The axed double All Star last night extinguished any hopes of a return, fuelled last week after Jim McGuinness hinted that there could be a way back for the Gweedore man. However, the 30-year old wing-back last night told TG4 that

Gardai says they were not aware of any threat to the life of Andrew Allen, the Waterside man who was murdered in Buncrana on Thursday night. He died after up to three men shot through a bedroom window at his home fatally wounding him in the upper torso area. It is reported that the 24

Gardai have formally named the 24 year old man shot dead outside Buncrana last night as Andrew Allen. The Derry native was gunned down in the bedroom of a house in Links View Park in Buncrana last night, after moving to the area around six months ago. His partner was also in the house at

Gardai are holding a press briefing in Buncrana this afternoon as investigations continue into the murder of a 24 year Derry man in Lisfannon last night. Father-of-two Andrew Allen, from the “Top of the Hill” in the Waterside area, was shot through a window at Links View, Lisfannon shortly after 9pm. He was pronounced dead

Donegal County Council has the highest deficit of any local authority according to a report in today’s Irish Times. The report compares the findings of audits of 2010 accounts. The deficit identified in Donegal was €12.7 million, with particular concern expressed about the amount of outstanding money owed to the council in commercial rates and

There’s been widespread condemnation of the shooting dead of a 24 year old man outside Buncrana last night. It’s understood that shortly before 9.30 last night, three masked men approached a house at Links View in Lisfannon shot through a window. The man, named locally Andrew Allan, originally from Top of the Hill in the

The Junior Tourism Minister says that everyone in the North West must work together if the area is to get its fair share of tourists visiting Ireland this year. Michael Ring’s comments follow an accusation from Councillor Sean McEniff that since North West Tourism was wound down, Failte Ireland has done very little to promote

A Derry Republican was remanded back into custody yesterday after he pleaded guilty to attacking Strand Road PSNI Station with a car bomb. Following defence applications at Belfast Crown Court, 43-year-old Philip O’Donnell pleaded guilty to causing an explosion likely to endanger life on 3 August, 2010. O’Donnell, from Baldrick Crescent in Derry, also pleaded

Labour Councillor Frank McBrearty has called on Councillor Mick Quinn to withdraw his comments after it was suggested that government council reps are failing to properly represent the people that elected them. Councillor McBrearty has described the comments as unfair claiming Councillor Quinn is engaging in populist politics. The dispute centres on a Sinn Fein

The transport crisis effecting schools in the Finn Valley has been raised in the Dail. The new transport scheme will only transport new pupils to their closest school. For example a child currently attending Castlefin school and recieving free transport, could see a brother or sister enrolling for next term being told free transport is

A man in his 20s from the Waterside area of Derry has been shot and killed outside Buncrana. The incident happened at a house at Links View in Lisfannon shortly before 9.30pm last night. It’s reported three masked men went to the house and shot through a window. The man, named by the BBC as